PERAMBALUR,
APRIL 30
. Villagers of Naranamangalam in the Kunnam block in Perambalur district today revived a traditional practice for invoking the blessings of Rain God, by distributing gruel to the local residents.

A cross-section of villagers said they gave up the age-old practice over a period of time but had to revive it this year, in the wake of acute drought for the third consecutive year. A group of villagers collected rice donated by every family and prepared the gruel at the local Mariamman temple. After special poojas, the gruel was distributed to all villagers.

Earlier, a number of women took out a procession carrying milk and holy water.